The Spanish government is preparing to introduce a new measure that will allow Spanish citizens of Moroccan origin, and their children, to obtain a driver's license without needing to return to Morocco. The mutual recognition of driver's licenses is one of the areas both countries are looking to revise to prevent misuse of the system. Until now, Spain's General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) only recognized Moroccan licenses if they were issued before the holder moved to Spain. This excluded many Moroccan-born Spaniards and their children, who often traveled to Morocco just to obtain a license and then use it in Spain. Under the new system, the license validation process will be carried out entirely online through the DGT's digital platform, eliminating the need for in-person appointments. Before approval, Moroccan authorities will still need to verify the authenticity of the license. Once that confirmation is received from Rabat, the Spanish validation can be completed within hours. The aim is to speed up what has traditionally been a slow and complicated process while closing gaps that could be exploited for fraud. It's also worth noting that Moroccan nationals visiting Spain temporarily can drive without validating their licenses, as long as their stay doesn't exceed the legal limit. However, if authorities determine that a driver is actually living in Spain without having regularized their status, they may face a fine of €500.
